Zlatko Dalic explains how ‘true Messi’ sent Croatia packing

The Argentina captain played a starring role in Tuesday’s semi-final to deny the Croatians a second straight World Cup final appearance.

Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic has said his side witnessed a ‘true Messi’ performance that made the difference with its ‘explosiveness and technique’ in their 3-0 semi-final defeat to Argentina.

The 2018 finalists’ World Cup dream ended after another masterful display from Lionel Messi. The 35-year-old turned back the clock with a ridiculous dribble to set up Julian Alvarez for the game’s third goal, while also scoring a first-half penalty to put Argentina in front in Lusail.

“Nothing much needs to be said about Messi’s qualities,” Dalic said in a post-match press conference about the Paris Saint-Germain forward.

“In the past 15 years, he’s probably the best player in the world, and today again, he was very good and dangerous. He made the difference in quality for the Argentina team. He had this explosiveness and technique at a very high-level performance. It’s the true Messi we expected to see.”

Lionel Messi with the assist of the tournament.pic.twitter.com/09eQcFQIWC

— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) December 13, 2022

End of an era for Croatia

What’s more, Tuesday’s loss may have marked the end of an era for Croatia. Several of their aging players, including 37-year-old skipper Luka Modric, are unlikely to be around for the 2026 World Cup.

“This is perhaps the end of this generation in World Cups,” Dalic admitted. “A couple of them have reached an age. [For the World Cup in 2026] we have to wait and see what happens then.

“We’ve had great achievements for the Croatia national team and a lot of players with a lot of potential.

“I believe this generation will finish their careers with Euro 2024. We have the Nations League finals, and it’s an excellent generation that reached the semi-finals twice in a row. It would have been great to have won the gold medal to crown this generation.”

Dalic also confirmed that he will continue as Croatia’s manager until the end of his contract in 2024.